Theo Middleton, 25, is studying a part-time MA in Legal and Political Theory at UCL. She is living in squatted accomodation so that she can save money and have the freedom to study.

"They call us the boomerang generation because everyone goes off to university and then has to move back in with their parents because they can't afford to do anything else. They did one study which said that the average person who is now 21 won't be able to buy a house in london til they're in their mid fifties"

Theo Middleton, 25, is studying a part-time MA in Legal and Political Theory at UCL. She is living in squatted accomodation so that she can save money and have the freedom to study. She is seen here at the 'Grow Heathrow' project, a sustainable community which was set-up for a campaign to stop London Heathrow airport being expanded with a new run-way. Ex-battery farmed hens have just arrived at the site. They will house these birds and get eggs from them.

Theo Middleton, 25, is studying a part-time MA in Legal and Political Theory at UCL. She is living in squatted accommodation so that she can save money and have the freedom to study.

"If you are studying in London and you have too pay rent it's so expensive. I squat so I don't have to pay rent, I ride a bicycle so I don't have to pay transport fees, I skip most of my food to keep food costs down. A lot of the way that I live to make space in my life for study."

Tom Mangan, 19, is studying English Literature and Theatre Studies at the University of East London He is seen here at an occupation at UEL to protest against the dismantling of the Humanities and Social Sciences schools, which are being put into other departments. The cuts reflect the 80% national cuts to these departments.

"They are softening up the university for greater cuts. You can't take away lecturers or support staff or make lectures bigger without lowering the standard to education. Although the cuts are coming in now the deficit won't be picked up until the fees increase, so this is a perfect example of how students will be affected right now".

Tom Mangan, 19, is studying English Literature and Theatre Studies at the University of East London. He is seen here at a protest against cuts to pensions for civil service workers. "Seeing all the student activism really, really inspired me and really politicised me. I wanted to be involved as much as possible in protests against the cuts. Now I'd like to think I've had quite a key role in some of the activism on campus and in central London when we've gone on demonstrations there."

Tom Mangan, 19, is studying English Literature and Theatre Studies at the University of East London. He is seen here at a protest against cuts to pensions for civil service workers.

"Seeing all the student activism really, really inspired me and really politicised me. I wanted to be involved as much as possible in protests against the cuts. Now I'd like to think I've had quite a key role in some of the activism on campus and in central London when we've gone on demonstrations there."

Tom Mangan, 19, is studying English Literature and Theatre Studies at the University of East London. He is seen here in his bedroom in Leytonstone, London. Tom is politically active on his campus, organising occupations and rallying against the fees increasing and cuts to courses and staff. He is also a member of the Socialist Worker Party.

"It's gone past the stage of emailing your MP and showing your disgruntlement. Now more militant tactics are the way forward."

Tom Mangan, 19, is studying English Literature and Theatre Studies at the University of East London. He is seen here at home with fellow student housemates in Leytonstone, London.

Tom Mangan, 19, is studying English Literature and Theatre Studies at the University of East London He is seen here at an occupation at UEL to protest against the dismantling of the Humanities and Social Sciences schools, which are being put into other departments. The cuts reflect the 80% national cuts to these departments.

"They are softening up the university for greater cuts. You can't take away lecturers or support staff or make lectures bigger without lowering the standard to education. Although the cuts are coming in now the deficit won't be picked up until the fees increase, so this is a perfect example of how students will be affected right now".

Szabina Horvath (24) is a Graduate in Photography at the University of the Arts. 

To save money she lives as a guardian in a disused building, which is part of an anti-squatting agenda. The building she is currently based in is an old refugee centre. She pays £65 a week. 

“I spend a lot of time making job applications, mainly for internships as I know I'll have to work for free in the beginning. I've had absolutely no luck and it is disheartening. I've also been looking at MA courses and funding for them to give myself more of a chance. There are less and less creative jobs and the competition is ever growing".

Szabina Horvath (24) is a Graduate in Photography at the University of the Arts. 

Szabina is now working in a local pub for £6.80 an hour whilst applying for jobs and internships within the art world. According to recent statistics, 52% of recent graduates are unemployed or under-employed six months after graduating.

“I spend a lot of time making job applications, mainly for internships as I know I'll have to work for free in the beginning. I've had absolutely no luck and it is disheartening. I've also been looking at MA courses and funding for them to give myself more of a chance. There are less and less creative jobs and the competition is ever growing. I work in a pub and receive allowance from my parents. I wish I didn't have to, it makes you feel like you are still a kid."

Szabina Horvath (24) is a Graduate in Photography at the University of the Arts. 

To save money she lives as a guardian in a disused building, which is part of an anti-squatting agenda. The building she is currently based in is an old refugee centre. She pays £65 a week. She is seen here with her housemates in the communal kitchen. 

"I now spend less money than when I was at uni. I'm more and more careful with money as I've tasted being on a smaller budget and kept the same lifestyle. Being a guardian helps you to have this mentality. Right now I am trying to stand on my own two feet. If you can accept the idea that you may not be able to afford a house in the future then I think you can still live a happy life. It's compromise that you may have to make to pursue a creative career”.

Szabina Horvath (24) is a Graduate in Photography at the University of the Arts. Seen here with two artist friends at one of their exhibitions in Goldsmiths College.

“I spend a lot of time making job applications, mainly for internships as I know I'll have to work for free in the beginning. I've had absolutely no luck and it is disheartening. I've also been looking at MA courses and funding for them to give myself more of a chance. There are less and less creative jobs and the competition is ever growing".

Adam (17) (right) is an FE student at Sir John Cass Sixth Form College in Stepney. Adam wants to study a degree in physiotherapy next year. He is seen at a valentines day protest against the fees increasing and cuts to education and other services. 

“I've gone to every student demo except for Millbank and I've been really involved in the anti-cuts movement and fighting for education in any way possible. I couldn't care for politics before but now I realise that if anyone is going to make a difference then it is us, the ordinary people. Social networking sites such as facebook played a big role in initially mobilising people. A lot of places have been inspired by the student movement. The people of Egypt released a statement saying they had been inspired by student demos in the UK. So did the people of Wisconsin. Once everyone who is against the cuts takes to the streets then we will see real change. Education is a way to break out of the cycle of poverty and they have gotten rid of that. How do they expect us to make anything of ourselves in this world?”

Adam (17) (far left) is an FE student at Sir John Cass Sixth Form College, Stepney. Adam ants to study a degree in physiotherapy next year. He is seen here at the National Student Assembly meeting where people are arranging a resistance against the fees increasing and the cuts. 

"I hate that they will be increasing the fees to universities. I won't have to pay the full amount as I enter in 2011 but my sister doesn't want to go now as it will be too expensive. I've been really involved in the anti-cuts movement and fighting for education in any way possible. I'm really worried about the future that young people here face. I really want to help my sister go to university in 2012 but I know if it was me then I wouldn't chose £27,000 of debt and that's just the fees. How would you pay it back? Living your whole life in debt would be shameful."

Adam (17) is an FE student at Sir John Cass Sixth Form College in Stepney. Seen next to 'Storm the Banks" graffiti nr his college. Adam wants to study a degree in physiotherapy next year.

"They should cut bonuses to banks and politicians. The Prime Minister himself didn't pay for his education but he expects us to. The future politicians will only be people who can afford to go to university, the rich, and there will be no representation from the working class. The cuts will create more of a divide between rich and poor, it will also have an impact on ethnic minorities. I know my mother will find it harder so I have to get my head down and get through university so I can support her."

Adam (17) (centre) is an FE student at Sir John Cass Sixth Form College in Stepney. Adam wants to study a degree in physiotherapy next year. Seen here at an alternative anti-cuts space. 

“I've gone to every student demo except for Millbank and I've been really involved in the anti-cuts movement and fighting for education in any way possible. I couldn't care for politics before but now I realise that if anyone is going to make a difference then it is us, the ordinary people. Social networking sites such as facebook played a big role in initially mobilising people. A lot of places have been inspired by the student movement. The people of Egypt released a statement saying they had been inspired by student demos in the UK. So did the people of Wisconsin. Once everyone who is against the cuts takes to the streets then we will see real change. Education is a way to break out of the cycle of poverty and they have gotten rid of that. How do they expect us to make anything of ourselves in this world when you are judged by how much money you have in your bank?”

Adam (17) FE student, Sir John Cass Sixth Form College, Stepney. Wants to study a degree in physiotherapy next year. 

“Social networking sites such as facebook played a big role in initially mobilising people. A lot of places have been inspired by the student movement. The people of Egypt released a statement saying they had been inspired by student demos in the UK. So did the people of Wisconsin. Once everyone who is against the cuts takes to the streets then we will see real change.”

Zoe Ayla Davignon, 17, is a pupil at Taunton School in Somerset. Seen here in her bedroom at the boarding house. Zoe has a conditional offer from Cambridge University and is hoping to go there next year. She won't be affected by the increase in fees but worries that even if she gets a degree from Cambridge University, will she still be able to get a job at the end of it?

"The cost of things is rising massively but the value of things isn't. If I don't get a degree then I can't get any job at all. I wouldn't find having a vocation particularly fulfilling as I've always been an academic so I would need something that challenges my brain. In order to get a job that challenges you then you need a degree to meet that challenge. Without a degree then you are not in the running for the few jobs that there are".

Zoe Ayla Davignon, 17, is a pupil at Taunton School in Somerset. Seen here in singing in the choir at the school chapel. Zoe has a conditional offer from Cambridge University and is hoping to go there next year.

"If you don't have money or can't get money then you won't be able to do a degree. it will become elitist and is a way of discriminating."

Zoe Ayla Davignon, 17, is a pupil at Taunton School in Somerset. She is seen here in her boarding room with her school friends. The girls will all graduate this year so will not be hit by the 2012 increase in fees. Katie (R) receives EMA and says she would have struggled without it for essential items. To go to university she will have to take a loan of £9000, if she was a year younger the amount would be three times more. The girls say that there are people at their school who cannot now afford to go to university, despite the fact their parents have paid a lot for their schooling.

Zoe Ayla Davignon, 17, is a pupil at Taunton School in Somerset. Seen here in the communal room at the boarding house. Zoe has a conditional offer from Cambridge University and is hoping to go there next year. She won't be affected by the increase in fees but worries that even if she gets a degree from Cambridge University, will she still be able to get a job at the end of it?

"The cost of things is rising massively but the value of things isn't. If I don't get a degree then I can't get any job at all. I wouldn't find having a vocation particularly fulfilling as I've always been an academic so I would need something that challenges my brain. In order to get a job that challenges you then you need a degree to meet that challenge. Without a degree then you are not in the running for the few jobs that there are".

Zoe Ayla Davignon, 17, is a pupil at Taunton School in Somerset. Seen here outside Cambridge University, where she has a conditional offer to study a degree in English Literature next year. She won't be affected by the increase in fees but worries that even if she gets a degree from Cambridge University, will she still be able to get a job at the end of it?

"The cost of things is rising massively but the value of things isn't. If I don't get a degree then I can't get any job at all. I wouldn't find having a vocation particularly fulfilling as I've always been an academic so I would need something that challenges my brain. In order to get a job that challenges you then you need a degree to meet that challenge. Without a degree then you are not in the running for the few jobs that there are".

Jasmine Ketch-Neumann, 13, is a pupil at Chiswick Community School. Seen here at home with her mother. "I want to be a teacher so there is no way that I can afford to pay £9000 and that's just for 1 year. I don't want to spend ages working towards that goal so that I can just start to pay off a mountain of debt".

Jasmine Ketch-Neumann, 13, is a pupil at Chiswick Community School. "I want to be a teacher so there is no way that I can afford to pay £9000 and that's just for 1 year. I don't want to spend ages working towards that goal so that I can just start to pay off a mountain of debt".

Jasmine Ketch-Neumann, 13, is a pupil at Chiswick Community School. Seen here in her bedroom. "I want to be a teacher so there is no way that I can afford to pay £9000 and that's just for 1 year. I don't want to spend ages working towards that goal so that I can just start to pay off a mountain of debt".